(OUTscene NW): MK Mourns the loss of Mentor, Father and Friend!

Judge ASH

by MK Scott

Was sadden by the the news of the recent death of a legendary figure in the Portland Arts and Legal community, US Magistrate, Don Ashmanskas. Who was he? He was by far one of nicest and fairest people you could meet. 

I first met Ashmanskas through his son, fellow High School alum and future Broadway star, Brooks Ashmanskas (Fame Becomes Me, Promises Promises, plus parts on All My Children and Julie and Julia). I soon became to respect the man as a brilliant Judge. Portland Radio Host and Prosecutor Marc Abrams, who co-hosted a 2009 OUTview Podcast on Don't Ask-Don't Tell, told me that Judge Ash was one of the best Judge's he ever encountered. 

As a Father and Arts Patron he was very supportive of Brooks' path to Broadway stardom. His wife (and Brooks' Mom) died in 2008 and was once the chair of the Beaverton Arts Commission.

Some snippet of the Obit from the Oregonian:

Judges and attorneys described Ashmanskas as a man with a larger-than-life personality inside and outside the courtroom. He had a voracious and varied appetite for reading and a longtime devotion to his hometown Boston Red Sox.

"He was everything you hoped to have in a judge," Judge Ann Aiken said.

Brooks in Present Laughter

John Deits, an assistant U.S. attorney in Portland, first met Ashmanskas in 1975. He called the judge a "giant in the legal profession" who brought both humor and fairness to his courtroom.

Friends said Ashmanskas treated everyone in his courtroom with respect and in turn commanded respect.

Aiken said being around Ashmanskas was like visiting "an intellectual candy store" because of his wide range of interests. She noted he shared both tips and produce from his garden.

"We're stunned, but we know if he was in his garden, he died doing something he loved," she said. "He loved his work, his garden and his family." 

Off to New York in a few weeks and Hope to meet up with Brooks for an Exclusive.